Derek O'Connor: 'There's no doubt he's my best chance of the week'

Vanillier: reported to be in flying form by Gavin Cromwell

Vanillier: the mount of Derek O'Connor in the National Hunt ChaseCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Derek O’Connor has put forward Vanillier as his best chance of landing a fifth Cheltenham Festival victory but says last season’s Albert Bartlett winner will need to improve on this season’s form to win the National Hunt Chase.

The amateur rider, who has won the National Hunt Chase on Chicago Grey and Minella Rocco, as well as the Kim Muir on Any Second Now and the Foxhunter on Zemsky, schooled Gavin Cromwell’s chaser last week and reported everything to be on track for a bold showing

Vanillier produced a devastating performance to win the Albert Bartlett by 11 lengths a year ago and O'Connor is hoping the grey can find similar improvement on his return to the Cotswolds.

Read the full story

Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.

Subscribe to unlock

Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data

Already a subscriber?Log in

Brian SheerinReporter

Published on 5 March 2022inNews

Last updated 20:10, 5 March 2022

Copy